Chelsea vs. Bayern Munich: Super Cup preview

Champions League winners Bayern Munich go up against Europa League winners Chelsea at the Eden Arena in Prague tomorrow.

The two European heavyweights, who last clashed in the 2012 Champions League final, have had contrasting fates since.

While Bayern lifted themselves up from their unlikely defeat against Chelsea in the previous final, and clinched a famous treble the next season, Chelsea crashed out of the European competition and struggled in the league, ultimately having to rely on winning the Europa League for a degree of salvation.

Although the stakes are not that high for this one, a lot is still on the line.

Bayern will be thirsty to avenge their defeat in the infamous Champions League clash, while Chelsea are be looking to cement their standing across Europe, after an up-and-down last season.

Bayern will take the field without Thiago and Holger Badstuber, who are both out with knee injuries, while Bastian Schweinsteiger and Javi Martinez are also not a 100%, suffering an ankle and abdominal injury respectively. However, with their starry bench and excellent squad depth, the German Champions are unlikely to be in any sort of trouble.

Chelsea have no immediate injury concerns, but their squad is still not complete. Jose Mourinho wants to add another striker and this could be the biggest difference between the squads. Fans will remember it was star striker Didier Drogba, who had fired in the late equalising header for the Blues in the historic final, who made the difference.

Chelsea's young forward line could have a tough time breaking through the walls of Lahm and co. Schurrle, who has experience against the Bavarians, can be pivotal here. He would be expected to carry out the lightning fast attacks, as Mourinho likes, and support Hazard and Mata at his side. Juan Mata, if completely fit, would be expected to start ahead of Oscar as the Spanish maestro was clinical in holding up the Chelsea forward line last season. Starting Mata, would also cool down the speculation surrounding his future at the club.

Franck Ribery and former Chelsea man Arjen Robben would look to exploit Chelsea's midfield, and this is why playing Essien could be critical. The large Ghanaian is the best defensive midfielder in the Chelsea squad currently, and with Lampard's forward runs aiding in Chelsea's attacks, it would be up to him to hold the field together.

John Obi Mikel did something similar towards the end of last season, but having featured only as a late substitute in one of the matches so far, would not be expected on field in a clash of this magnitude.

Mourinho could also try Ramires in place of Lampard. The lanky Brazilian has been Chelsea's unsung work-horse over last season and fans can expect this if the veteran England international seems off the pace or starts as a sub.

Chelsea's solid defence will be up for a tough task as they'd look to keep out the destructive Bayern forwards. This is where could miss Chelsea David Luiz. Although he has traveled with the team, without any game-time, so far, he is far too raw to be used. Chelsea could instead pair Ivanovic with Terry at the back, and start Azpilicueta on the right. Ivanovic, along with captain Terry, had to miss the final against Bayern two years ago, and would be equally fired up to face the music.

Adjacent to the field, there would be another battle though; Pep Guardiola will be going head-to-head against Jose Mourinho again.

The former El-Classico rivalry has found a new stage to compete at.

Arguably two of the best managers in world football currently, these two endured a volatile relation managing the Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid. Although the rivalry was cut short by Pep's unexpected resignation, what better way to draw a final conclusion, than under entirely neutral circumstances, with both managers looking to win their first trophy with their new clubs.

Bayern have not had a smooth start to the new season, scraping through against Borussia Monchengbladbach and then being held to a draw by Freiburg.

Guardiola's playing philosophy and tactics have not assimilated as quickly as he would have liked.

Former boss Jupp Heynckes had very masterfully devised a defensive shape and spreading plan for his Munich side last season, but with the reversion to one midfield under Pep, the side looks much more exposed now.

Chelsea, also, have had a mixed start, edging out Aston Villa and then crawling to a draw against Manchester United. Mourinho's plan for the team has already drawn a lot of criticism after the poor shows against United and Aston Villa. The youthful forwards have thus far not done justice to their talents, and failed to produce.

New signings Mario Gotze and Thiago Alcantara, will be eyeing the opportunity to demonstrate their talents at their new clubs to the world, as more than one of Europe's elite clubs tried to sign them.

Andre Schurrle, Chelsea's newest German signing, and the home grown Lukaku, should have similar thoughts.

Bayern Munich, who are attempting to be the first club to win the Super Cup and the Club World Cup along with the domestic Treble and the European triumph, will no doubt go in all guns blazing.

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DISCLAIMER

This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeSport Writing Academy and does not represent the views of
GiveMeSport.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article.
GiveMeSport.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.

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